Pete Jeavons Nonet: Tribute to Charles Mingus

Born on April 22nd 1922, bassplayer and composer Charles Mingus is one of the giants of Jazz. A double bass prodigy, his driving bass lines provided support for the likes of Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, Charlie Parker (and many more) and he was one of the first double bass players to assimilate the bebop language. Mingus was an incredible double bass player, but he is perhaps even more revered as one of the most influential jazz composers of all time. He began composing his own music whilst in his teens and led numerous bands until his untimely death, composing over 300 compositions and releasing over 50 albums in his lifetime. His music spans New-Orleans style jazz, swing, bop, blues, gospel, latin, the avant-garde, collective improvisation and classical music – occasionally in the same composition!

The Pete Jeavons Nonet will pay tribute to Charles Mingus and his music at The Ellington Jazz club on Saturday April 22nd; on what would have been Mingus’s 101st birthday, had his life and career not been cut short at the age of 56. You can expect to hear Mingus classic’s such as ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat’ and ‘Better Get Hit In Yo Soul’ alongside some of his lesser known (but equally enthralling) compositions such as ‘Open Letter To Duke’ and ‘Sue’s Changes’.

Performed by some of Perth’s finest jazz musicians in mini-big-band format this will be a night of high energy, uplifting music guaranteed to please.